** Help CELEBRATE 21 GREAT YEARS OF CHICAGO INTERNATIONAL REEL SHORTS **

** RATED ONE OF THE TOP 5 SHORTS FESTIVAL IN THE NORTH AMERICA **

Since 2003 ** Chicago International REEL Shorts Festival ** has provided FILMMAKERS from around the World the opportunity to showcase their work to REEL PEOPLE in the Chicagoland area.

They seek to provide a supportive atmosphere with low entry fees and low cost ticket prices.

With unique venues like the state of the art "Chicago Filmmakers Fire House Theater", Classic venues in Chicago’s Belmont Theater District or a basement screening at the World Famous "Mothers" where you can enjoy a local brew while you watch some of the Worlds best films.

We are all Shorts All the Time !!! No Features stealing your spotlight :)

Awards & Prizes

We love to give out awards!! Each screening has an Audience Choice Award and the festival gives out unique festival awards like Best Youth, Best Comedy, Best Drama, BEST OF FEST.... each year it is different based on the films we program.

So go ahead and submit your film!!!

Rules & Terms

GENERAL RULES
RULES & REGULATIONS

Submission Fees
All submissions and payments are through FilmFreeway's secure online submissions system.

Screening Requirements
If your film is selected for exhibition, please be advised that the Festival will require a downloadable MP4 file.

Submission Procedures
* Please submit ONE film per entry with title, type, email and contact name or online screener link
* One digital press kit (This is often overlooked. We need posters and stills for promotion and press inquiries)
* Payment (see Payment & Return).

Eligibility Requirements

* World and US Premieres are not required.
* All films and videos in a language other than English must be subtitled in English for Festival presentation.
* Filmmakers must deliver final format (as indicated) for festival screening. No exceptions will be permitted.
* Short Films YOUTH must be works shot, directed, and produced by high school or secondary school (pre-college) students. Adult supervision is limited to advisory capacity.

Festival Awards
All, shorts and music videos are eligible for all Awards. Awards and prizes will be given but are to be determined at a later time.

ALL DECISIONS BY OUR JUDGES ARE FINAL.

To submit a film you must hold or share copyright of the film and its content.
45 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • James Hussey

    I was so pleased by the reception of my film Hope in Uganda at the 2023 Chicago International REEL Shorts Film Festival. Everyone there was wonderful, and we had a sellout crowd! Thanks for featuring my film!

    December 2023
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  • David A Holcombe

    We had such a blast at this year's festival! The block of films in which we screened was really impressive and engaging. We were honored to be part of such a fun and enthusiastic event. This festival really supports and uplifts filmmakers and we can't wait to attend in future years!

    December 2023
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  • Rebecca Wackler

    This is a fabulous festival run by people that love filmmakers. The films were of a very high caliber and we were honored to be part of it. Emails were answered quickly and I was given information that helped me pick lodging and an understanding of how to get around the city. Our screening had a full audience that was very receptive to our film's message. Which made for a very productive feedback session. It was wonderful to be in Chicago. Chicago might have the most beautiful skyline of any city in the world. Thank you Chicago International REEL Shorts Fest for giving “Catching the Bus” an audience!

    November 2023
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    Response from festival:

    Thank You Rebecca! Everyone should check out your film “Catching the Bus”.

  • Victor Dos Santos

    This was so wonderful! Everyone there was so kind, the Q&A was really fun and exciting to be a part of, and the screening venue itself was fantastic! Great sound and great picture, being able to see "The Messenger" on a big screen and with total strangers was a dream come true! Thank you so much for this opportunity and for being so great! Hope to submit again in the future.

    November 2023
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    Response from festival:

    We appreciate your filmmaking abilities Victor and are expecting great things from your in the future.

  • Marc Marashi

    Great folks. Everyone was very friendly and it was very cool to see a variety of films from all across the world and meet the filmmakers.

    November 2023
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    Response from festival:

    Thank you for the kind words Marc - you are amazing :-)